Senior Research Associate (0.5FTE)

The Lancaster University “Together an Active Future” (TaAF) evaluation team is looking for an enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to join the project. Funded by Pennine Lancashire Public Health the role-holder will specifically support the process evaluation package of the project, together with another researcher who will also work part-time on this component of the evaluation. The team are all members of the Faculty of Health and Medicine and this component of the evaluation will be based in the Division of Health Research.

The objectives of the process evaluation are: to understand the processes and factors involved in the delivery/ implementation of physical activity programmes across six Local Authority Districts and two of TaAF’s target groups; to evaluate the TaAF team, including understanding the potential facilitators and inhibitors of their implementation effectiveness; to provide feedback on evaluation insights in a timely-manner to facilitate rapid shared learning and evidence-based changes within the ‘test and learn’ ethos; and to develop resources to allow individuals or groups at local levels to be able to conduct their own evaluations using the proposed evaluation approach (guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, CFIR). The role will require you to use qualitative and quantitative methods, but predominantly qualitative (e.g. conduct telephone interviews) to achieve the objectives.

You are required to hold a PhD in a relevant field with a publication track-record commensurate with your experience, have expertise in mixed method research in a work or health setting, have knowledge and understanding of process evaluation and/or implementation research and have experience of collecting data using research interviews and online survey tools. It is essential that you can demonstrate experience of conducting both qualitative and quantitative analysis, using appropriate software. We are looking for a highly motivated and collaborative individual with excellent communication skills, who can flexibly manage competing priorities and work independently. Experience of conducting research with employee groups within organisations would be an advantage. The role will require some travel within the UK, mainly within the North West.

Our team and the Division of Health Research provide a friendly research environment that strongly supports the individual needs of each employee and which actively promotes a healthy work-life balance. The Faculty is committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies and has held a Silver Athena SWAN award since 2014 in recognition of its good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research. We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups.